Desjardins and partner Pierre Audette, bought a charming cottage in Ste. Adèle (an hour outside of Montreal) and turned it into a small restaurant called "L'eau à la Bouche?, at a time when "fresh broccoli was a radical concept. She couldn't bear to import asparagus in February instead of serving their own Laurentian squash, cabbage, and mushrooms. Their notions of freshness and purity, of healthfulness and simplicity became their governing philosophy. As word spread about L'Eau à la Bouche ("Mouthwatering?), Anne and Pierre expanded into a cozy country inn with 25 rooms. In 1989, they were accepted as a member of the world renowned Relais and Chateaux chain. Among numerous accolades, Anne has been named the Best Chef in Canada by the New York Times, honoured as one of America's Top Tables by Gourmet.